We have all heard that a healthy relationship should make us feel cherished, respected, and secure. But sometimes, it’s easy to get lost in red flags and forget about what positive behaviors we should actually be looking for. After all, how can we know we’re truly being treated well if we don’t know what that looks like?
Richa Hora, expert relationship coach and founder of Metaanoi, believes it’s time we shift focus. Rather than fixating solely on what to avoid, let’s explore the signs of a healthy, loving partnership where women feel genuinely heard and respected. Curious if you are with someone who knows how to love you right? Here are 10 signs that would tell you that you are being treated well in your relationship.
1. “You feel closer after being vulnerable with your partner.”
When you share something meaningful, whether it is positive (like your dreams), or negative (like an embarrassing situation), this is when your partner’s response matters the most. How they choose to respond shows how truly intune they are with you. If after being vulnerable with them, you find yourself feeling closer to them, this is a great sign that you are with someone who knows how to treat you with love and respect.
2. “They don’t ghost you unexpectedly.”
Communication is usually what makes or breaks a relationship, especially in a long-term relationship. You want that stability, of knowing that you can rely on your partner no matter what. If your significant other always makes sure to let you know if they are going to be unavailable, and for how long, so you do not worry, it shows that they are not careless about your emotions. You won’t always know where they are but it is a relief to know they won’t just disappear on you without any indication.
3. “You are loved more than your body.”
While sex life is a very prominent aspect of your relationship, it shouldn’t be the sole reason for keeping couples together. Your partner should notice your more intangible qualities like your kindness, your intelligence, and your resilience, on top of knowing that you are physically attractive. You are a multidimensional woman after all. Not only will this feel like you are truly known for all that you are, it will also enhance your intimate connection when you know their attraction is grounded in more than just your body.
4. “Your boundaries are understood and appreciated, no questions asked.”
One of the most important lessons we learn when we are in a long-term relationship is that there are always some boundaries in place, no matter how much you trust them. You could love them unconditionally and know that you can trust them with your life, and still not feel comfortable with some aspects. In a healthy relationship, these boundaries will be met with all the compassion and consideration they deserve, and you won’t be asked to justify them either. Instead of creating a riff between you both, this will make you feel even safer with them.
5. “You are listened to, you are heard.”
What you say to your partner should always matter. Whether you are discussing something about you, about the relationship, or something that has nothing to do with either of you. If your partner pays attention and responds in a way that lets you know that what you were trying to communicate has been understood, it can feel incredibly peaceful. You would know that your thoughts are valued and you are not expressing yourself in vain.
6. “You make random spontaneous plans to hang out and that feels really good.”
There is a certain charm to finding spontaneous ways of spending time with your partner, apart from the dates that you plan ahead of time. It lets you know that your person is just as eager to be with you as you are them. This can be a great indication that you both are on the same page when it comes to how much you want to make each other a part of your life. Knowing they are thinking of you, and missing your presence enough to make time for you is sure to give you all the butterflies.
7. “You feel loved almost every single time you meet that person.”
Contrary to what the movies would have you believe, you don’t feel love when your partner does something grand and extravagant. Sure, they do feel amazing, but the essence of love is felt every day that you spend with them. If after meeting them you feel loved with the way they speak to you or how they act around you, this is one of the signs that you are being treated well in your relationship.
8. “You are becoming each other’s priority.”
All the relationships in your life are important, but your romantic relationship is, and should, be at the top of the list. This is the person you intend to spend your life with, sharing all the highs and the lows, and the person you build your own family with. When you are being treated well in your relationship, you and your partner instinctively always consider how an action or decision would affect the other person. After all, what would affect them, would inevitably affect you too.
9. “You are inspired to live your own life outside the relationship, talking about your work and your dreams.”
One of the most important signs that you are being treated well in your relationship is that you have the time and capacity to focus on other aspects of your life, like your work and your dreams. You aren’t consumed by petty drama and can peacefully focus on building your own life and explore your hobbies because you know there is peace in your romantic life.
10. “You want to bring them home to meet your family.”
It is always a big step, meeting the family, and for good reason. This shows that you are serious about each other and would like your family to get to know them. But it is only meaningful when you truly want your family to know your partner. Not for the sake of letting them know that you are with someone, but instead it is because they are an important person in your life.
This comprehensive list is to help you know the signs that you are being treated well in your relationship, and what a healthy relationship should feel like. While with this list you can know if your partner is doing all that they should to make you feel loved and respected, you can also see if you are being equally good to them. After all, love is all about give and take, right?
Also Read: Here’s how marriage counseling can save your relationship
Meet Our Expert: Richa Hora is a Relationship and Marriage Coach, and Founder of Metaanoi, a personalized coaching service that helps people develop a new perspective of how they view relationships and understand their partners.